Easy Listening Review: Paul & Friends-Journey of the Heart

Nine years have passed since I had heard music from Paul
Sammarco. I covered his Smooth Sailing
album back in 2007 and as I recall it was a jazz flavored treat that I really
enjoyed. I was hoping for the same
kind of experience with Journey of the
Heart. With a total of 12 featured tracks and an additional four bonus
tracks there is a lot to take in. There was nothing to be disappointed about at
all throughout this release.

The lead off and title track “Journey of the Heart” kicks
of the album in an upbeat fashion musically and with the expressive vocals of
Michael Klaus. This is easy listening or adult contemporary however it does
cross over quite a bit into other areas as it is sprinkled with jazz, pop, some
rock, kind of like a musical kettle of fish if you will. For these ears that is
just fine and dandy. I appreciate the eclectic approach if it is presented
properly.

“Lost and Found” is such nice track, the acoustic guitar
lines and piano conveys a touching message of life and some of the misfortune
we experience and the other brighter things we may along that journey.

If you can remember 70s radio, if you are old enough that
is, “Laughter in the Rain” will bring back a lot of memories of AM radio and
those long hot summer days. “Create In Me A Clean Heart” is an instrumental to
change the course a bit then “Yesterday’s Dream” is a bluesy folk song with a
longing guitar strumming and harmonica calling out like a train looking for its
tracks. With Sarah Sullivan on vocals it has all the elements for some fine
home cookin’ ready to order blues. That is what this recording offers, constant
change and so many different styles you just never have the opportunity to get
uninterested.

I think the mixture of talent on vocals and the variety
of instruments involved with each track is a sure fire winner. It is not an
easy task to bring together so much talent and make it work just right and I
would have to say that Paul Sammarco and Friends sure put their best foot
forward on this fine recording. It is definitely worth a good listen or two, if
you cannot find some tracks you enjoy something is missing, like a pulse! So
find a comfy chair, get the fireplace going and turn it up, it will warm your
soul.

5/5
Stars

Key
Tracks: Journey of the Heart, Lost and Found,Yesterday’s Dream

Tracks:01. Journey of the Heart02. Call Her Mellow03. Lost and Found04. Laughter in the Rain05. Create in Me a Clean Heart06. Yesterday's Dream07. Bad Habits08. Beautiful Day (Reprise)09. The Lord, He Knows10. Find Your Paradise11. Out of the Woods12. The 23rd Psalm, With a Children's PrayerBonus Tracks:13. Have You Ever Seen (Background Vocals Version)14. Drift Away (Background Vocals Version)15. Just One More Time (Background Vocals Version)16. Just One More Time (Lead and Background Vocals Version)

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